Apple "Error 53" class action suit moves forward

If you are, an iPhone user with a device that supports touch ID you may have heard about the "Error 53" issues earlier this month. If you want the full low down on Error 53, check out our story detailing exactly what is going on. Error 53 affects people who have repaired their iPhone using third party parts. During an iOS update, these parts fail one of the checks that Apple performs and results in the entire iPhone being bricked and unusable.

Parts that can trigger an Error 53 issue for users if not replaced correctly include the screen, flex cable, and home button. Apple says that when the Touch ID validation check fails the device is disabled to protect the Touch ID and the Secure Enclave that stores the customer fingerprint information. Apple claims a malicious Touch ID sensor could compromise the secure information.

A law firm called Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala (PCVA) has filed a class action suit against Apple over Error 53 claiming that the security argument Apple uses to justify the disabling of iPhones affected with Error 53 is invalid. According to the attorney heading the suit, Darrell Cochran, the argument is invalid because the third party parts in the iPhone continue to work for several months after repair and only get bricked when a new version of iOS is installed. The attorney is also taking issue with Apple failing to warn uses of this possible consequences when downloading an iOS update.

Cochran said, "No materials we've seen from Apple ever show a disclosure that your phone would self-destruct if you download new software onto a phone. If Apple wants to kill your phone under any set of circumstances and for any reason, it has to make it crystal clear to its customers before the damage is done."

Cochran also says that Apple is being unreasonable with its reaction to Error 53 issues for phone owners. "The error code 53 signals the death of the phone, and Apple's response has been to say 'you have no options; it's not covered under warranty, and you have to buy a new phone.'"

The goal of the suit is to get affected iPhone users a new working device. The suit also seeks $5 million in damages and an update to Apple polices to eliminate repair restrictions.

SOURCE: Macrumors